Ouagadougou: The 7th edition of the PULAAKU International Festival officially opened its doors this Saturday, November 1, 2025, at the CENASA. The event runs from October 31 to November 2, 2025, under the theme: ‘Our cultural expressions in the service of promoting respectful dialogue on social media: a path towards stronger social cohesion.’
According to Burkina Information Agency, Boureima Barry, coordinator of the PULAAKU International Festival, emphasized that culture serves as a vehicle for peace, helping to unite through the discovery of other cultures. He noted that social networks, initially intended to forge friendly connections and strengthen the human community, are now facing misuse, where virtual words influence reality.
“We have a duty, through culture, to challenge, to raise awareness and to understand that we can transform the wars that originate in our minds. It is in these same minds that we can also build the defenses of peace,” Barry stressed.
The coordinator stated that the PULAAKU International Festival is committed to promoting a culture of peace on social media. He emphasized the need for social media to be a framework for peaceful dialogue.
This 7th edition, themed “Our cultural expressions in the service of promoting benevolent dialogue on social networks: a path towards stronger social cohesion”, will feature training on artificial intelligence, panels, and a cultural evening.
Moussa Dicko, the mission officer of the Ministry in charge of Culture, highlighted that cultural expressions are not just entertainment but a representation of social assistance. He pointed out that social networks, which should be spaces for dialogue and sharing, often turn into places of clashes and disinformation.
Dicko urged people to make culture a guiding principle, advocating for culture to teach patience and remind us of the human behind each interaction, especially on social media.
He praised the festival’s initiative, aiming to promote culture and social cohesion. He expressed hopes for this edition to see culture flourish and convey values through various activities, enabling communities to live in social cohesion.